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Maesteg Harlequins 15-25 Bedwas, WRU Championship Cup Round 1

Bedwas are into the second round of the WRU Championship Cup after overturning a 15-point deficit to beat Maesteg Harlequins away.

Competing at a wet and windy South Parade on Saturday, October 15, Bedwas started well with plenty of possession and territory, but the home defence held firm.

Despite a positive start from Bedwas, it was Maesteg who, against the run of play, opened the scoring. Off the back of the scrum, a quick ball put scrum-half Jacob Williams into a gap. Running through from deep, he crossed the line for the try.

The Bedwas restart went out on the full in the swirling wind, but no further score was added.

Maesteg increased their lead halfway through the half. From a scrum, No8 Andrew Healey powered over for their seconf try. Howe added the conversion to see his side twelve points to the good.

It got worse for Bedwas shortly afterwards as Howe kicked a penalty goal to increase his sides lead to 15-0.

However, the Bedwas comeback began with a Ben Drew try in the 32nd minute to reduce the deficit to ten points, with Lloyd Wilkins’ conversion attempt unsuccessful.

Bedwas kept the pressure on and shortly before half-time, a Bedwas maul was illegally pulled down by a Maesteg defender – giving the referee no option other than to award a penalty try.

It meant the visitors went into the break trailing by just three points.

The second-half got underway and Bedwas were immediately back on the offensive and once again, the Quins were punished for bringing down a rolling maul.

The referee awarded Bedwas a second penalty try, with sin-binning reducing Maesteg being to 14 men in the process.

With Bedwas now 19-15 ahead, Owen Howe had a chance to bring the home side back to within a point, but his long-range penalty kick fell short.

Bedwas made regular substitutions but neither side could increase their score until the 75^th minute,when Bedwas replacement James Hallett added a penalty goal.

With the last kick of the afternoon, a second Hallett penalty ensured there could be no comeback from the home side – sealing a 25-15 victory.

Bedwas return to league action on Saturday, October 22, where they will once again face Maesteg Harlequins away from home. The game will kick off at 2.30pm.

Match report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC